Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/21/23
Staff Report
Olivia Smith scored the game-winner off a feed from Elise Dougherty and Julianna Callison fired in six goals as host Upper Merion opened its season Monday with an 11-10 victory over Upper Moreland.
“It felt so great,” said Callison (1 assist), a senior who has signed with Division II power East Stroudsburg. “Everyone has been working so hard this preseason and it’s so amazing to see it paying off right off the bat.”
Ashley Evitts also scored for Upper Merion. Anaya Onwubuariri was the winning goalie and Dougherty dished two assists. Ironically, the Vikings defeated Upper Moreland late last season by the same 11-10 score.
“Everyone was hyped up for this game because we knew going into it that Upper Moreland wanted redemption from our win over them last season,” said Callison. “My teammates set me up for success, I felt like I had good momentum and support from my team to finish on goals.”
For Upper Moreland (1-1), Annalise Messina had a brilliant all-around game, collecting seven goals, one assists, seven draw controls and five caused turnovers.
Upper Merion is coming off a 9-9 season and hopes to challenge for a Pioneer Athletic Conference Frontier Division crown.
“One of our biggest goals is consistently working together to become an even stronger team,” Callison said. “We definitely want to win the PAC Frontier Division and make an appearance in Districts.”
“We are all willing to work as hard as we can to achieve this together. Sent from my iPhone
Upper Merion 11, Upper Moreland 10, OT
Upper Merion
Olivia Smith 4g (scored OT winning goal)
Julianna Callison 6g, 1a
Ashley Evitts 1g
Elisa Dougherty 2a (assisted OT winning goal)
Brooke Olsen 1a
Sam Walmsley 1a
Riley Robinson 1a
Anaya Onwubuariri winning goalie
Upper Moreland
Annalise Messina 7g, 1a, 7dc, 5ct
Reagan Cummins 1g, 1a
Olivia Meakim 1g
Maggie Morrow 1g
Willow Taylor 1a
Addi Huley 15 saves
